So, someone asked someone from Kia: “Where did the name Stonic come from?” Before the official answer, came the media comedian: “Stonic the hedgehog.” Official answer: “It’s a made-up name.” Hence I will never look at a Stonic again without thinking ‘hedgehog’ but it would not be a bad nickname for a cute little car that is Kia’s first lob into the growing B-SUV segment. Here, competition is tough and Kia UK sees the pioneering Nissan Juke and Renault’s Captur as key competition, to which I’d add PSA’s own Peugeot 2008, newly acquired Vauxhall Opel Mokka X and Ford’s now European built EcoSport, just for starters. It’s a segment now accounting for about 10% of the UK market, so 200,000 units a year.
It’s interesting the Stonic ‘hedgehog’ does not share its platform with parent Hyundai’s newly launched Kona ‘coffee’ [both a blend and a brand; you need to be a certain age to remember the latter] which will be another rival. The Stonic is based on that of the recently launched Rio supermini while the Hyundai’s is a special new SUV platform which gives that model the possibility of 4WD. With just 7% of the segment 4WD, Kia isn’t too fussed about all-paw-drive. Worldwide powertrain choice will eventually include the delightful little one litre, three cylinder turbocharged petrol in two tunes, 1.2 and 1.4 petrol I4s and a 1.6 diesel. Off that, Kia UK has cherry picked an I3 and the 1.4 for petrol buyers and the 1.6 diesel and, to start, just reasonably basic ‘2’ level trim and a loaded First Edition. A seven-speed twin clutch automatic option will come for the I3 next year and, after a year or so of First Edition, and customer feedback, will come one (or maybe more) new trim levels.
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Buyers continue to move away from traditional body styles and the B-SUV market in Europe is expected to double to more than 2m units a year by 2020, based on 2016 sales. Kia Europe is confident of 70,000 Stonic sales in its 31 markets in 2018, rising “steadily” to 100,000 a year. The UK is expected to account for 10,000-15,000 sales in the car’s first full year but, citing Sportage success, Kia UK people think they may have underestimated.
Though built on the Rio platform and alongside it in Korea, Stonic was designed in Europe at the company’s Frankfurt studios with input from the main design centre at Namyang in Korea. Originally intended as a car solely for Europe, it will now also be sold in Korea, such was the reception it got when shown there.
Though base 2 versions lack satnav, all launch versions offer extensive connectivity including links to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay via pre-downloaded smartphone apps while advanced electronic driver assistance systems such as autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and automatic switching between high and low headlight beams are either standard or the only option pack. CarPlay worked a treat for us the second an iPhone was connected by cable.
Key Kia signature design elements include the ‘tiger-nose’ main front grille and distinctive C-pillar. First Edition models have contrasting roof, mirror caps and rear spoiler matched by same colour highlights inside – black, lime green, red or orange, depending on the body colour. There are also colour accents on the seat upholstery and around the lower centre console and display screen areas to co-ordinate with the choice of roof colour.
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By GlobalDataStonic and Rio share the same 2,580mm wheelbase but the Stonic is 70mm taller to give it a clear crossover stance and 35mm wider with a longer rear overhang to maximise passenger and luggage space. It has 42mm more ground clearance than the Rio. A higher ride height and consequent hip point make entry and exit very easy and, though not prime target market, I can see the B-SUV being a hit with older buyers for that reason, especially once automatic is optional.
The interior has been designed around the displays for the connectivity technologies. The main seven inch display, trendily, stands proud of the dash like a tablet in a holder, with DAB radio (Kia sensibly combines the DAB/FM bands into one) and MP3 compatibility, and, in the First Edition, this is upgraded to a touchscreen navigation system with Kia Connected Services via TomTom.
The number of buttons and switches has been kept to a minimum to give a neater look and greater functionality while the First Edition offers USB ports front and rear so that mobile devices can be charged from any seat. It also has heated seats and steering wheel.
Powertrains
The three launch engines are the 118bhp one litre T-GDi (Turbocharged Gasoline Direct-injection), 98bhp 1.4-litre multi-point injection (MPi) naturally aspirated petrol engine and 108bhp 1.6-litre CRDi turbodiesel from the Ceed range. We’ve tried these before but I continue to be amazed at the refinement and flexibility of the little three pot which will come down to stupid revs in sixth, grumble a little, in that offbeat manner typical of triples, yet pull cleanly away again. Used properly – a change up/down indicator comes standard – it’s a delightful wee motor and I look forward to trying it with Kia’s twin clutch automagic, a transmission not yet sampled. The 1.6 diesel is, of course, more robust in its approach with additional gobs of low down torque and it is also very refined and flexible – diesel may be down but it is certainly not out, and this engine will be the sensible choice for the higher mileage buyer while the one litre best suits around-town pottering with the occasional foray onto motorway or country road. The six speed manual is light and precise and the First Edition includes a rear view camera that kicks in with reverse gear.
All engines have stop/start when the clutch is released in neutral.
Kia’s rating of 171Nm of torque across a wide rev band starting at only 1,500rpm for the one litre I3 explains its flexibility and also claims it can accelerate from standstill to 60mph in less than 10 seconds while returning 56.5mpg and diesel-challenging CO2 emissions of 115g/km.
The diesel has a combined economy figure of 67.3mpg with CO2 emissions of 109g/km and a stonking 260Nm of torque from 1,500 to 2,750rpm. It takes 10.9 seconds to spring to 60mph.
Not tried was the 1.4 litre petrol, available only with 2 trim, with economy and emissions figures of 51.4mpg and 125g/km.
Suspension
The Stonic has independent MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam axle at the rear, like other Kia models, but there has been extensive retuning to take into account the SUV’s higher ground clearance and centre of gravity.
Steering is light but precise, handling surprisingly good and body roll minimal with good ride. There is a lot of road noise and I’d suggest adding a little more sound dampening. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) are standard and VSM is linked to Torque Vectoring, Straight Line Stability and Cornering Brake Control. Torque Vectoring brakes an inner wheel if the car is in danger of running wide in corners, bringing it back onto the driver’s desired line. Straight Line Stability senses any difference in applied brake pressure between the right and left of the car and intervenes to keep it straight, while Cornering Brake Control delivers asymmetrical brake pressure when braking in tight curves to counter loss of traction. All versions also have Hill-start Assist to prevent the car from rolling backwards when setting off on steep inclines.
Autonomous Emergency Braking – a rarity in B-SUVs – and Lane Departure Warning are standard for the First Edition models and the only option with grade 2. The Lane Departure Warning system (which works very well on country roads, too) is linked to Driver Attention Warning, which can alert a drowsy or distracted driver that it is time to take a break, and High Beam Assist, which automatically switches between dipped and full beam according to the traffic around it and the local lighting.
Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross Traffic Alert helps prevent the car from being accidentally driven into the path of a vehicle approaching from an angle out of the driver’s eye line.
The stiff body shell is made of 51% advanced high-strength steel. Kia has a goal of reducing the average weight of car bodies by 5% by 2020, based on 2014 figures.
Stonic for the UK
Initially, Stonic is available in five versions based on three engines and two trim grades 2 offers all three engines while First Edition is available with the 1.0-litre T-GDi and 1.6-litre CRDi units.
Other standard features include 17 inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, all round electric windows with an automatic function on the driver’s side, roof rails, rear parking sensors, remote locking, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, a 3.5 inch ‘supervision’ cluster between the main dials, Bluetooth with music streaming, automatic light control, bi function projection headlamps with static cornering lights and LED daytime running lights. There are body coloured bumpers, door mirror casings and door handles, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and 60:40 split rear seats. A six-speaker audio system is standard.
First Edition adds two tone paint with contrasting roof colour, a smart key entry system and engine start/stop button, stainless steel pedals, black cloth and grey faux leather upholstery with colour accents, automatic, single zone, air conditioning, LED rear lights, privacy glass on the rear side windows and tailgate, heated front seats and D shaped steering wheel, chrome window trim and interior door handles and a dual height luggage floor.
The traditional seven year/100,000 mile warranty continues.
Care 3 and Care 3 Plus servicing packages for retail customers cover the cost of all routine servicing work for three or five years respectively and, like the warranty, can be passed on if the car is sold before they expire.
Stonic is a thoroughly likeable little car with a good choice of powertrains, two simple trim option choices, minimal options (dealers can supply items like a spare wheel kit and other accessories if wanted) and some nice interior detailing such as door bins that angle a water bottle towards you and sized to hold your mobile phone. The boot is a sensible size and the car looks great and drives well. That 10,000-15,000 sales target may indeed be an underestimate. We’ll soon see.
